(released November 2018)
Manchester Orchestra is a group that can most effortlessly be described by their name. They emit the sound and sensation of an orchestra. Manchester Orchestra’s sound can be ‘defined’ as indie/alternative rock and even emo. They have managed to produce songs that can be both calm and patient like “Simple Math” which in their video depicts a slow-motion car crash as symbolism, to songs like “Shake It Out” that triggers a rush of adrenaline and features a heavy guitar riff followed by the visual montage of a trucker driving from arm wrestling tournament to arm wrestling tournament until he becomes the champion.
The Front Bottoms are a group that have truly evolved from a place where you would never imagine a collaboration with such a band like Manchester Orchestra, to a group in which it was almost inevitable given the circumstances. The Front Bottoms began as a two-piece band with lead vocalist and guitarist Brian Sella and drummer Mat Uychich. In the beginning the two friends would incessantly write songs and record them as crudely and quickly as possible with the help of other close friends who, at times, would add in their trumpet or keyboard. The Front Bottoms were described as a folk/emo punk rock band. As they have matured their band grew to include a bassist, and keyboard/back-up guitar player. They now are often described as indie/alternative rock as well, and this is exactly how this collaboration sewed the two bands together seamlessly.
Manchester Orchestra and The Front Bottoms were on tour together and by a twist of fate, what started out as a writing exercise grew into a single released by the two bands. Andy Hull, the lead vocalist of Manchester Orchestra, sent the melody to Brian Sella and Brian wrote his signature narrator perspective for the chorus. “Allentown” is a complimentary piece of the two bands shown best by Brian Sella and Andy Hull’s vocals. The song opens with a simplistic keyboard progression that joins into Brian and Andy harmonizing the main chorus and overall theme.
“I am on a journey to discover what it’s like
To be free of all my demons, to be free of all my demons”
Andy continues to sing through the verses as the song progresses with minimal instruments supporting their lyrics. This provides an incredibly meditative sound due to the relaxed downbeat melody. The chorus comes back in to be met by Brian overlapping Andy in a melodic and somewhat trippy harmony.
Although the song itself has a peaceful vibe, the lyrics are quite dark. The opening chorus alludes to the impending despair in the beginning verses by speaking about this voyage to escape their problems.
“The drugs from all our parents stuck inside our veins
I traded you for Vicodin, just doing my thing
I used to be a lawyer, now I just talk a lot
I’m the King of Allentown, this parking lot”
Manchester Orchestra (left) The Front Bottoms (right)
Their single “Allentown” was released back in November and there hasn’t been any new tracks released since. From this single alone, I personally hope to see the two bands team up again. It could be assumed that due to their busy touring schedule they haven’t had the time to work on any other collaborations, and based on how well this single was accepted, perhaps they plan to work together again in the future.
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